Wednesday, March 28, 2012

How To Turn A Video Blog Into A 6 Figure Business


Gregory Ng Hosts Freezer Burns

At the SEO Meetup, which was hosted by Phil Buckley, Gregory Ng presented on a highly anticipated topic which he titled, "How To Turn A Video Blog Into A 6 Figure Business." Mr. Ng, the Chief Experience Officer at Brooks Bell, Inc., hosts a very popular food review show called Freezerburns.

In the following post, I've done my best to capture the essence of his dynamic presentation given at the Tir Na Nog Irish Pub in downtown Raleigh.

Step 1: Choosing A Niche


The first step in choosing a niche for your blog begins with selecting focused content. This means identifying content that you can own (dominate).

By setting your sights on a specific topic, you must also ask yourself,  "Is there a big enough audience to support that topic?"

What Is The Goal Of The Show? 

Having a dedicated audience is good but one must also keep the objectives at the forefront of the project.

To drive the point home about finding a niche, Greg offered the following information:

  • There are over 25,000 blogs related to "food"
  • 815 of those blogs are related to "food review"
  • 3 blogs are related to "frozen food review" 
  • 1 blog (and that's Freezer Burns) focuses on "frozen food review on video"
Is there business behind frozen food? "Yes!" In fact, Greg shows a number of companies that do support his venture, these include: Nestle, ConAgra, Kellogg's, and more.

Takeaway

Pick a category that nobody else is doing but also backed by big business, advertising, and TV commercials.

Step 2: Own The Niche


Reflecting on Episode 1, which aired in 2008, Greg explained how bad it was. It had poor lighting, reflections, cut off his head cut, and only 64 total page views (all friends and family).

While there are people with great ideas, the problem is that few ever really post their ideas LIVE. The key to success is to simply jump in.

Today, Greg gets around 200,000 page views per episode. If he wasn't willing to start with episode 1, which he cannot stand to watch, he would have never gotten to the point where he is now.

Optimize As You Go!

One important thing to remember is that you can work on the show as you go. This means that you should simply keep putting out content while also finding ways to make things better.

During the first year, Greg set a goal of 5 episodes per week. It was a "Land Grab", he explained.

In an effort to dissuade any competition (those who may have better cameras, production, or audience), he simply put out more content at a faster rate. For Greg, it was about owning the content. The plan worked.

By the end of year one, Freezerburns had 260 episodes in the can. According to Ng, the single focus resulted in a library of videos. He didn't care about marketing or even getting people to like him, it was about the number.

In 2009, someone on YouTube used the same sound byte that he was using for show's theme. It was then that he realized the importance of owning the content.

How Do You Own Your Niche? 

To own the niche, you must first own your show (stake your claim). This includes, but not limited to:

  • Domain Name
  • Social Screen Names
  • Logo
  • Theme Song
  • Tagline
  • Catch Phrases
  • Title
In line with this, Greg recommends that companies should always look for ways to share the brand. "Put it [the brand] everywhere. It's important because when people see it, they'll think of the show." he explains.

One year later, Ng made a whopping $384 (or $0.23/hour) from the show. He says, "That's not sustainable. If you're trying to make money that's not going to do it."

Step 3: Know Your Audience


"Stoner College Kids" (44 percent) and "Grocery Shopping Moms" (41 percent) are two of the show's popular demographics. He knows his audience, what they like, and what they do. As a result, everything he does on the show is done for those two groups.

How Does He Know All That? 

In response to that question, Greg shares some of his most valuable tools.

Crowd Science - A free service that allows you to ask the audience questions. For Ng, it's a starting point.
Blip.tv - Provides monetized advertizing and analytics (this service doesn't overlap where Crowd Science goes). It's important to note that there is no all in one solution. Greg uses a number of different tools.
Facebook Questions - Very unscientific, but it allows him to poll his audience.
Google Analytics - He's been using this tool since month one of the show. What he noticed is that people were clicking through to latest video through RSS. Then they would look through the tags and navigate that way. He assumed people were going to watch every episode. Some would, if serial, but for most Freezerburns visitors, it's in and out. Some people only watch pizza reviews. 
Knowing this information, Greg tested out his site. As a result, he built a taxonomy where visitors could browse reviews by Rating, Brand, Type, Cooking Method, and Keyword. Once in place, people got lost in the reviews and the average time on site skyrocketed from 3:08 to 4:25. 
Lesson: Use the data to change the way you enhance your site.
YouTube Analytics - Great resource! according to Ng. Did you know that you can join your YouTube Analytics into Google Analytics? 
The YouTube Analytics was really important to Greg. In June of 2010, people wanted to see the nutritional information about the food (thanks to the comments). In the 336 episode (Chicken Fettuccini Frodown), he found that when he put nutritional facts on the video, the numbers dropped. He also found that when he took his first bite, the viewership also went way down. Sure enough, after weeks of testing, the message was consistent. As a result, he eventually took the nutritional information away.
Takeaway: Assuming you have enough data, consider using Video Insights.
Seevolution - This tool used to be free, but now it costs $50/mo. According to Greg, it is a really awesome hotspot analytics for click data (to see where the mouse goes). After running on his site, he learned that views and the taxonomy were pretty hot (popular).
He also found that instead of using the navigation sequentially, users did something else. When he increased the number of videos from 5 to 10, his page views moved from 2.5 to 6.32.
Takeaway: Test your data. 
Visual Website Optimizer - Greg loves this tool. The Visual Website Optimizer integrates with Google Analytics (and they use at Brooks Bell, Inc.). There is a 30-day free trial.
When Ng ran a test, he used different headlines and found that one worked. "You never know what works until you try it."
Because the goal was to grow subscribers, Greg found that by using another headline his subscribers increased by 7 percent.
Takeaway: Test, test, test.
Where He Is Now

When looking back over the years, Greg explained that he really tested into the current design of his site. He thought that people wanted to go to the latest video. However, he discovered that people wanted an overview of the site (for new subscribers). What is important to them is that Freezerburns published so many reviews. It's not until the visitor scrolled down to the bottom of the page that videos show up.

Step 4: Grow Your Audience


How do you grow your audience? Distribute EVERYWHERE. In an exclusive announcement, Greg revealed that Freezerburns will be on Hulu, too. While he doesn't have videos on all sites, he does have a presence. These include, but not limited to:

  • Youtube
  • iTunes
  • Blip (which distributes everywhere)
  • Break.com
  • AOL video
  • Vimeo
  • Tivo
  • Sony Bravia
  • Samsung
  • Blinkx
  • Boxee
  • Facebook
  • Divx.tv.
  • and much more...
Interestingly, Greg reveals that he doesn't get very many views on the website. Instead, the majority of  views happen where the people are (social networks).

Know What Your Audience Wants

It's important to know what the audience wants. For Ng, it's important because it helps him decide which products to review.

Stay focused on what the majority wants (it's not important to do local stuff that only a few people can enjoy). "Remember what the majority of your audience wants...not just the vocal few." Greg says.

Spread The Wealth And Give Behind The Scenes Access 

In every sponsorship deal, Greg tries to work in coupons. He wants to be a brand ambassador. This is where Ng takes customer feedback and then says (to the brand), "Here is an example of what people are saying about the product."

Remember, you're pushing influence.

In a normal week, Greg gets an average of three cases of food. Three cases is a lot of food and he doesn't have the time to review it all.

One way to bring viewers behind-the-scenes is by taking pictures of products he's received. He mainly posts on Facebook and Twitter, not necessarily on YouTube.

In the beginning, he was buying his products to review. After the Wall Street Journal article (in 2010), he started getting free stuff. Although, Greg makes it a point to still buy 75 percent of what he reviews. This way it's an unbiased review. He wants to stay in control.

Engage In Comments, Respond To Emails

"If you don't have comments...you're doing it wrong." Greg says. First step, enable your comments. This is how to build a rapid fan base. It takes up a lot of time but it's so very important.

When asked a question that he gets ALL THE TIME, he responds. Greg admits that sometimes he answers questions late, but he answers every one. On average, he gets 78 emails a day. Each one of those is an opportunity. "It's a pain, but it's important to respond."

Turn Your Fans Rabid

Freezerburns Tattoo
One guy has a tattoo of the Freezerburns logo on his leg.

The important thing to Greg is to let fans know that he is a real person who monitors stuff. They, in turn, become his army of advocates. It's important to invite, even encourage, creative things like pictures.

Care What Your Fans Think, But Trust Your Gut

"Haters are gonna hate." Greg says. According to the trolls, he...

  • ...chews like a pervert
  • ...is a lazy fat f***
  • ...needs a job
  • ...has a big nose
The point here is that people are going to say things that hurt. Comments hurt, but now he just eggs people on. If you get trolls, it means you're popular.

Step 5: Give Sponsors Something To Believe In


One of the biggest values for Greg and the Freezerburns show is testimonials. To Ng, testimonials are GOLD. Why? you ask. Because Greg can go to a brand and say, "People are making buying decisions based upon my reviews...now give me money." [The crowd laughs]

Action Items:

  • Screen shot everything - Time stamp the testimonial and put it in a folder for use later
  • Create a Press Kit - It's important to have kits pre-made and sending the same thing to all brands
  • Encourage action for brands - Promote brands so that they will promote you

Give Brands Opportunities For Exposure

Greg talked about doing a live show that Healthy Choice sponsored. He gave the brand an opportunity to participate in the event. If he hadn't reached out to the company, how else would they have known about the show?

"If you give that opportunity, you'll get that exposure back." ~ Greg Ng

Experiment But Stay Focused

To drive the point home, Mr. Ng talked about four different shows that he'll never do again (Fryerburns, Belly Busters, Review Free Stuff, and one more). While popular shows, he won't do them again because it causes a loss of focus from Freezerburns.

Tell brands you exist

Publish reviews where the brands can see it. Greg shared a story where he published his reviews on Facebook pages, for example. Companies like this idea because it gives them exposure.

Action Item:  Go follow SaffronRoadFood on Twitter and Facebook. Tell them @GregoryNg sent you.

Step 6: Monetize


Video Ads

This is a very important step and there are three different types of video ads (overlay): Bottom third, pre-roll, or post roll.

With Blip.tv, there is an advertising option. "Just check, check, check, and you're done."

Note: "People and blogs" is not niche enough. If you fall in that category, Greg recommends that you get more specific.

YouTube also provides monetization options.

Note: If you're using pirated content (music, for one), it's not good. Instead, try Incompetech for free audio that's also high quality.

Make Money While You Sleep

For the time Greg spent presenting (about an hour he says - although, it was really almost an hour and a half), he made $80 bucks because his 500 YouTube videos are being viewed all day over the world.

In review of his very first video, he now has over 117k views. By monetizing every video, he's making money.

"You won't get rich off of ads." Greg explains. He only makes about 10 percent. The other 90 percent is off of endorsements.

Episode Sponsorships

One very powerful way to earn money is through sponsorships. This step can take a lot of time, but it's worth it.

Last year, Greg ran a contest with Healthy Choice (Freshen Your Freezer). The contest details involved taking a picture of the freezer and putting it on the Healthy Choice Facebook page. The winner got flown out to the Healthy Choice Headquarters where they filmed a live episode.

To Greg's advantage, he had data (Facebook Likes, Subscriptions), testimonials, and more. As a result, he was able to name his price.

In addition to that, Mr. Ng also provided a form letter. A form letter for contacting sponsors offers a positon statement (what he does), time relevance, creditability (testimonials), demographic relevance, and recent successes. He explains that he always uses this template. Furthermore, he couldn't do any of this if he didn't know his audience. You have to know this before ever approaching sponsors.

In 2011, Greg launched an iPhone app. He launched the app so that he could get it up [pause] as a first step toward a much longer goal. Additionally, he has a QR code scanner so that you can scan a food and get his related review.

Data is your friend. With data captured from the mobile app, Greg can use this information to approach a competitor, grocery store chain, and to share relevant coupons with his audience.

You only get money if you think outside of those ads and focus on sponors.

In Conclusion


If you cannot define your business in five words or less then you don't have enough focus (finding your niche). It only took Greg three hours to skim down to a niche. He started with three ideas for a show: Mac & cheese, cereal, and the freezer isle.

Other Closing Comments

  • Greg's passion was to own a category, in this case it was the frozen food category
  • He doesn't accept money for a positive review, only to get a review
  • Women will make way more money, and faster, with video
  • Someone should do a Lean Cuisine show (there are tons of opportunities here...and then he'll buy your show) [The crowd laughed]
  • He once knew a guy who would shove his mouth full of food and then sing (niche)
  • Knowing your audience is VERY important (once you know your audience...do checks and balances to check assumptions of who the audience really is)
  • Uses Google Alerts
  • Always brand your videos

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Photo Credit: Jonathan Fredlin of Cary Magazine

Sunday, March 25, 2012

C3 Church: Imagine Celebration Weekend


This weekend, Pastor Matt Fry talks about about supporting the church vision through a two-year campaign known as Imagine.

Pastor Matt starts off with the foundational scripture:
9 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. 
10 Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. 11 But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?[a]” 
12 When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.”13 Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’[b] For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” [Matthew 9:9-13 (NLT)]

The Call


The first thing you need to understand is that there is "A Call." While reading Matthew 9, Pastor Matt said that he learned about the kind of church God wanted him to start. He explains that he felt comfortable where he was, leading the youth group at his previous church, but he continues to say that he really wanted to reach out and impact people where they live today. Instead of playing church games and politics, he wanted to simply focus on Jesus. He wanted to reach out and touch the hurting and hopeless.

It's not about US but OTHERS. Let's get our eyes off ourselves and on those who need Jesus.

During this time, Tax Collectors (like Matthew) were not famous people because they were often crooked and unfairly assigned burden as they saw fit.

The Pharasees were "religious" but their hearts were not in it. It's about a relationship with God not just about following the rules.

Jesus is not looking for perfect people. He's looking for you and I...those who are willing and available.

In the Bible, we see these people of God and think they were flawless, but we learn that everyone sinned and imperfect.

Jesus doesn't see your past (you're forgiven), but sees your potential (who you can become).

Pastor Matt talks about a guy named Johnny. Johnny grew up in a broken home in North Carolina and was a high school dropout. This is a guy who was heading down the wrong road (i.e. drugs, alcohol, fighting, etc). At 23, he returned to got his GED and found Jesus. Today, Johnny Hunt is a very successful pastor in Atlanta.

Whenever you say, "Yes" to God, something good is going to happen.

The Need


We need to see the need like Jesus does. We need to get our eyes off ourselves and on the needy.

35 Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. [Matthew 9:35-36 (NLT)]

Compassion is to be moved in your inner parts. When Jesus saw and heard the crowd's pain, he felt their needs. Pastor Fry believes that Jesus' heart broke for those people.

When was the last time you hurt for others? We have the privilege of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

Matt talks about one of his first messages at C3 Church, he says that he saw a vision of people coming into a "cafetorium" that needed hope. In the weeks that followed, people flooded that elementary school. Why? Because they needed hope.

The Vision


After Jesus saw the crowd approaching, he spoke to his disciples. He said that the need is great but the workers are few.

There are thousands that come to C3 Church during a weekend. God is calling each of us to reach out help others. It's not just a pastor's responsibility to reach people, we too need to get involved.

There is power in agreement. If God unites people, there is power in that.
19 “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. 20 For where two or three gather together as my followers,[a] I am there among them.” [Matthew 18:19-20 (NLT)]
If we can get everyone to commit to a common vision, we can do some amazing things. A good place to start at C3 Church is focused on Imagine. Let's Imagine together!

Prayer


If you need hope or help. God wants you to know that he loves you. Jesus died and rose from the grave. If you would like to know if Jesus is your savior then pray this prayer.
Dear God, I realize I've sinned and I need you. Thank you for dying on the cross and rising from the grave. Come in to my heart and save me. Thank you for giving me eternal and abundant life. Help me to live for you, for the rest of my life. In Jesus' name. Amen.
To share your story, want more information about next steps, or just in need of prayer, please contact Pastor Matt Fry.

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

Initial Thoughts On JustRetweet And Triberr As A Solution To Increase Blog Pageviews

The A-Team Is An Example Of Working Together
Do you have a blog? Are you actively writing? Are you getting many visits to your site? Would you like more?

As of late, I've been following Ms. Ileane's lead as it pertains to community engagement. How has she systematically increased the number of Likes, shares, and comments on her site? While I'm sure the answer is a complex one with many moving parts, I believe one secret of success lies in the company she keeps.

In an effort to get my blog seen by more eyes, I asked the question, "What would Ms. Ileane do?"

For the remainder of this post, I would like to focus on two web sites that may help you increase pageviews and then share a couple of lessons I've learned since joining those communities.

JustRetweet


JustRetweet is a free web site that encourages retweets on Twitter. "How does that happen?" you ask. Well, it all starts with Credits.

As a new user, you receive a set number of credits. Once in possession of said credits, you can use them to motivate others into following you on Twitter, retweeting a message, or subscribing to your blog via RSS.

At first glance, it feels like you're merely buying the attention, which some may find disingenuous. However, I encourage you to be patient and try to view the bigger picture.

To motivate retweets, follows, and subscribes, you get to determine how many credits you are willing to spend each time an action is taken. I've seen people spend as little as 2 credits and as high as 60 credits for compliance. It really just depends on how serious you are about encouraging a particular behavior.

At some point, your credits will dwindle and you'll need more. While there is an option to buy credits, I prefer to return the love shown me. Just as people are following, retweeting, and subscribing, you can do the same for them. With each action, you replenish the credit bank that will ultimately be spent on promoting your own messages. It's a self-sustaining ecosystem that promotes sharing. Neat idea, huh?

Triberr


The second web site, Triberr, doesn't use credits to reward good behavior. Instead, good behavior begets good behavior.

To begin, users join tribes. Like JustRetweet, the service runs on credits. Instead of the term credits, Triberr refers to currency as Bones. As a Tribe Chief (creator/owner of a tribe), it costs 15 Bones to invite new members. Initially, I only had enough bones to invite four or five members. While it is possible to earn bones, it sounds like a rare event. Therefore, the preferred method is through a real financial transaction.

The purpose of Triberr is to organize yourself in groups of like-minded individuals who blog about similar topics. As you write new blog posts, your tribe members are encouraged to share your post with their networks via Twitter, Facebook, Google+, StumbleUpon, and LinkedIn. In turn, you should also share their contributions.

This constant exchange of goodwill is what makes the service so successful, at least in my humble opinion.

Lessons Learned


For the period of time that I've been exposed to both services, I've noticed my own blogging behaviors begin to change. Below are just a few observations:

  • Giving is the name of the game - While people may initially support you, if you're not willing to give of yourself then it won't work. To receive comments, retweets, and shares, you must first comment on other people's blog, retweet their posts, and actively share their work with your networks. When in doubt, give more!
  • What starts as an exchange is really the beginning of a relationship - Earlier, I mentioned how disingenuous this all felt. Well, if there is one thing I've come to understand it's that sharing other people's work has a way of bringing you closer. We're really a band of bloggers trying to accomplish similar goals. Alone we fall, but together we succeed.
  • Be selective - Just because we are encouraged to support each other doesn't mean you have to share everything others write. Think about your network, what would be of value to them? If the content works, share it. If not, look for something that will. There have been occasions where the newest post didn't work for me, but I found an older article that I LOVED. Be selective and reward well written articles.
  • Don't just share, engage! - One of the weaknesses of this model is that some people just retweet or share. Sure, it's cool to say that you've had 100 retweets, but how effective is that strategy when people simply ignore the tweet? Don't just be a conduit of posts, take time to engage with your networks; ask questions, respond to posts, or share personal observations every once in a while.
Overall, I'm pleased with both JustRetweet and Triberr. As a result, I've already found some  very talented bloggers with amazing stories and perspectives to share. If you would like to join JustRetweet follow this link. To join Triberr, you can find me here.

In the comment section below, let's talk about your experience with either service. What questions do you have? How can I be of service.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Catching The Little Things


I just left a meeting with consultants who have been contracted to help design the University's web strategy and governance model. As they prepare for a special meeting this afternoon, they ran through their PowerPoint presentation with a select few.

My first observation is that they've captured a lot of the little things that easily go unnoticed; however, when you put all of those little things together, it quickly adds up to something more substantial.

This caused me to think about how easy it is to catch the little things in life, but save them somewhere for later use.

In the case of the consultants, they used the small discoveries to tell a story about the University's current state of affairs. For the rest of us, we can follow suit and apply it in a number of areas. Consider using your blog, video, audio, or camera to capture the small ideas. Then, as time goes on, build on those ideas to construct a more comprehensive body of work.

What Are Examples Of Small Ideas?

  • Quote you heard someone say
  • A thought initiated from a book, movie, podcast, or blog
  • A picture perfect view
  • An outfit you see someone wearing
  • An interior design from a friend's house
Let these, and other small ideas, be the seed that helps you grow a more complete product.

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Image by blmurch

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Kappa Alpha Psi Celebrates Silver Anniversary With A Rededication To Objectives

Elder Watson Diggs, Founder
By January 5, 1936, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. would celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary. Founding members and brothers alike shared their varied perspectives on the Fraternity's progress.

Founder Elder Watson Diggs wrote:
Although proud of having made some progress, I cannot escape a feeling of disappointment at the meager objectives our organization has thus far achieved. Perhaps it is difficult for me to see clearly and judge accurately. At any rate, I venture to hope that the next twenty-five years will (provide us) with clearer understanding of the purposes of (Greek letter organizations), and fuller realization of (those purposes). 
Founder Ezra D. Alexander said:
Kappa Alpha Psi has been a great inspiration to me...As a student during the first years of its existence, I can readily realize the important part it played in urging me forward to obtain a higher education that in turn molded my character and made of me a better citizen. 
In an address titled, "New Gods for Olympus; Shall Kappa Meet the Challenge?" Dr. Horace Mann Bond, Dean at Dillard University, described the environment during the Fraternity's founding. With nine million blacks in the United States, less than three thousand were enrolled at institutions of higher learning. It took a courageous individual to make it through a college career because of all the challenges faced. Additionally, an undergraduate degree in 1911 was used to better the living situation of the people, not the individual.

By the 1930's, there were more than 35,000 blacks enrolled in colleges/universities. As a result, a divide between the educated and uneducated became apparent. Criticisms toward the educated included arrogance and "snobbishness." Dr. Bond continued with his address and focused on the rededication to the organization's objectives. More specifically, Bond emphasized the importance of college fraternities in aiding the resolution of problems affecting the people. Education should help bridge the various classes of people, not divide them.

By the twenty-fifth year, the Fraternity successfully established four national programs: Guide Right, Housing, Scholarship, and Research. Looking toward the future, the organization kept these programs at the forefront of its effort.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

How Do You Increase Loyal Listeners To Your Podcast?


Why do people listen to the podcast? That's the question I've been asking our loyal Room 3026 Live listeners.

In response, I've heard them say variations of the following:

  • Real-time interaction between hosts and listeners
  • Good information
  • Interesting guests
  • The news
  • The chat room
While this list is not exhaustive, it was enough to get my brain thinking. How can we, as hosts, continue to build on the core group of listeners?

Three Levels Of Listeners

In a post-show discussion, we identified three levels of listeners:

  1. Potential Listeners
  2. Casual Listeners
  3. Core Listeners
Potential Listeners
The first group of listeners holds the most members and represents individuals who have not yet listened to the show.

Casual Listeners
These listeners have heard the podcast before, but are not regular listeners.

Core Listeners 
This group represents those listeners who are there practically every day. 

Based upon my observation, listeners move through the various circles. Those that are considered Core Listeners were once Potential Listeners that progressed through each ring until they reached the core group. In the same way, a Core Listener can move away from the center circle and become less active.

With that established, how does one attract listeners toward the core like a magnet attracts metal?

What Are The Benefits Of Listening?

As hosts, we believe there are benefits of listening. For example, we listed a few items:

  • Support for listener's blog (Blog Roll)
  • Promote a listener's event (Announcements)
  • Engaging audience (Chat room, Daily Booth, and live interaction with hosts)
  • Guests (Interviews)
In review, I don't think there is one silver bullet that encourages loyal listeners; it's a combination of all the various segments. For those that stay, I believe it's because they are getting a need fulfilled. 

How To Increase Core Level Listeners

This is the million dollar question, right? From where I sit, the answer lies in keeping loyal listeners satisfied while moving casual and potential listeners closer to the middle.  Below are a few ideas to consider at each level.

Potential Listeners (To move from potential to casual)
  • Invite them to listen
  • Encourage special guests to bring their listeners/fans/supporters
  • Conduct live podcasts on-location
Casual Listeners (To move from casual to core)
  • Encourage them to join the show's email list
  • Invite them to connect on social networks
  • Follow their blog, podcast, vodcast, and comment often
Core Listeners (To keep satisfied as a core listener)
  • Host special on/offline events that encourages engagement and camaraderie
  • Showcase and bring attention to something they are doing through interviews or on-air announcements
  • Engage them in the show and use their name or feedback
  • Provide relevant content that is somewhat personalized
These are just a few ideas that seem to work for us. Although, I am always looking for other creative and effective strategies to increase listener's return on investment (ROI). In the comment section below, let's talk about ideas that you have.

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Friday, March 9, 2012

Empire Avenue To Unveil New Design And Seeks To Become Your Social Media Rocket Fuel


Tonight, the folks at Empire Avenue are planning to announce their new and improved website design and user interface LIVE at SXSW. The event will be available online starting at 7 pm CST.

In an effort to whet your whistle, Mr. Michael Grills developed this teaser video (see below). It doesn't give you many details on what's to come, but it continues to push the Social Media Rocket Fuel: Expand, Engage, and Evaluate message.

If you're unable to view the video, click here.

What's New With Empire Avenue?

Many people have been asking, "What's going on with Empire Avenue (EA) tonight?" I admit, the details have been a little vague, but I think you will enjoy what the team has been working tirelessly to provide. In the following sections, I'd like to give you a quick look at what's behind the curtain. Are you ready?



Engage: Talk To Your Followers

Once you log into the website, the first place you end up is under a tab called, Engage.

The page immediately reminds me of the trendy service we call Pinterest. Built with square boxes, users can find their friend's latest updates from networks like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, WordPress, Instagram, Flickr, and more. 

Not only can users read updates, but they can also interact with them. As an example, Twitter users can retweet or reply directly within Empire Avenue. Replying is also available for Facebook updates.

What I do not see is a way to like or share; although, I imagine that feature is probably in the works.

Other notable features on the Engage tab include:
  • Recent mentions
  • Recent shareholders
  • Recent arrivals
  • Post shouts to Empire Avenue, Twitter, and Facebook

Expand: Get More Followers

The next tab, Expand, serves as a place to find new people. From this single page, you can see Recommended, Recent Arrivals, Site Wide Leaders (based on Share Price, Wealth, Portfolio Wealth, Dividend/Share, and more), Social Network Leaders, and EA Communities. 


Evaluate: Measure Your Success

The third tab, Evaluate, is where you can follow your social media score across the Internet. From Facebook to LinkedIn, users will see all of their pertinent information on a single page. In addition, it's easy to move from one network to the other.


Other Enhancements: Scoring Google+ and Missions

Another exciting enhancement in the new release involves the scoring of Google+. Yes, many of you have been asking for it, but now it will become a reality. In the image below, you can see the option available. Reports should start rolling out as early as next week.


One of the most popular additions to Empire Avenue was the Missions feature. Missions provide users with creative options to earn extra Eaves (e). Today, the company wants to actively encourage meaningful engagement through content and user-built missions. 


Final Thought and Free Gift

As I look back over the number of enhancements and features listed above, it's clear to me that the EA team is looking to be apart of our everyday lives. The company is working diligently to build an ecosystem where people can engage, follow, and evaluate their social media effort.

Is the new Empire Avenue an all-in-one solution? Not yet. Does it give influence-based sites like Klout a run for its money? You better believe it. Will it cause you to spend more time following and engaging with your friends? Absolutely!

In closing, I would like to congratulate the hard work and dedication the whole team invested into this new product. I think they did a fabulous job and even deserve a few hours of sleep before storming off toward the next big project.

When can users expect the new changes to roll out? According to my source within the company, new members can expect immediate access AFTER the announcement tonight. For existing users, the ability to "Opt-In" begins next week.

Finally, as a gift to my valued readers, I have been authorized to give the first 10 people to retweet this article FREE (and early) access to the new web site. Make sure you include @damondnollan in your message to get credit. 

In the comment section below, let me know what you think about the new Empire Avenue.

Other Stories On Empire Avenue You May Like

Thursday, March 8, 2012

I Pin, You Pin, We All Pin for Pinterest


I've heard about it, I even used it once or twice, but it wasn't until a blogger explained it to me that I finally saw it's value. Yes, I'm talking about this growing service called, Pinterest. In this article, I would like to introduce you to Pinterest and explain why a content creator should even care about it.

What Is Pinterest?

Ok, let me start at the beginning. Pinterest, as described on their website, is a Virtual Pinboard. The web-based service provides a place to pin pictures and videos of your favorite things. Think of Pinterest as a virtual shoe box of images related to clothes, food, houses, cars, art, books, people, or places you like. In the image below, you can see tons of interesting things.


In addition to pinning pictures and video, you can create boards, which are specific categories where individual pictures are stored. 

Lastly, you can also follow your friends, which helps populate your home screen (see above).

Why Content Creators Should Care About Pinterest

Even though I jumped on the service early, I didn't initially see the value. Yes, I can store pictures, but why waste my time? This is where you should pay attention...because it can help increase your pageviews

To my Bloggers, Vloggers, Photographers, Graphic Designers, Beauticians, Barbers, Make-Up Artists, Web Developers, Painters, Home Decorators, Fashion Designers, and the like... you can greatly benefit from this service. Let me explain how.

Step One: Get The Pin It Button

While there are a number of ways to pin something, let's start with the Pin It button. You can add it as a browser bookmark or add a browser extension. 


Step Two: Pin A Picture

Now that you have the tool, it's time to start pinning your favorite pictures. Simply visit a web site and click on the Pin It button. At this point, you should see the picture in a gallery similar to the one displayed below.

To proceed, click on the image you want to pin and click on the Pin This button. Select the Board you want the image to rest in, write up a 500 character (or less) description, and click Pin It. It's that easy!


As a contributing member of the Pinterest community, your role is to curate interesting material. However, as a content creator, your job is to also share some of the goodness from your own site, gallery, or archive. The more interesting the picture, the greater your chances of being seen and clicked on. 

As a blogger, for example, this means placing colorful and relevant images in your blog posts. Personally, I get tons of traffic from Google because of the pictures I use. Why not do the same with Pinterest?

In addition to your efforts, other members of the community can Repin your items (and vice versa), which helps to further your pictures (and blog posts). 

Tips For Getting Started
  • It's Not All About You - While Pinterest is a great way to market your own content, remember to actively engage with other people's work. When you're reading an article with an outstanding image, Pin It.
  • Follow Interesting People And Boards - Part of the fun is reviewing what other people pin. Don't do it alone, follow friends and other interesting people. If you don't want to follow everything a person pins, follow just a particular board of interest.
  • Give Love Often - Just like you, people enjoy a good compliment. If you see something you like, let them know. Start by giving them a Repin, Comment, Like, or Tweet.
So, what do you think? Let's discuss the value of Pinterest and how you use it in the comment section below.

Monday, March 5, 2012

If You Want More [Fill In The Blank], Then Do More


Have you ever had a message that kept showing up in different places? It's as if you're going to keep hearing it until you actually listen. For me, that message turned out to be the law of GIVING.

Jimmy Evans
This past weekend, I had the pleasure of listening to Jimmy Evans talk about this very thing. In a sermon titled  "How Much Do You Want?," Mr. Evans provides a Biblical perspective on God's promise.
Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” [Luke 6:38 (NKJV)]
This verse provides two important points: 1) Give and it will be given to you 2) Give a little, receive a little. Give a lot, receive a lot. Therefore, your measure of blessings is determined by your measure of giving.

Bruce Sallan
In another example, my Twitter friend, Ann Tran, shared a link to a blog written by Bruce Sallan. The name of the article is "Why I Comment All The Time" and it outlines the best way to increase interaction, learning, and friendship.

The takeaway: Comment on other people's blog and you will get comments on yours. At the time of this post, he had 61 comments and counting.

Ileane Smith
One final example of someone who is putting the law of giving into practice is my friend Ileane Smith. Ms. Ileane is known for her comment love, retweets, and guest posts. She gives, gives, and gives some more. In return, she receives tons of support, comments, and retweets.

In an interview with Tom Shivers, Ileane shared her winning strategy on getting blog comments and building relationships. In short, comment on other people's blogs and be a friend to others.

Closing Thought
As I prepare to end this post, I want to stress how life changing this one truth can be and challenge you to give it a try for one week. Give more [fill in the blank] and see if you don't get more in return. My guess is that you cannot out give the Giver. Once you do, come back and let me know the results in the comment section below.

Remember:
If you want more followers in your social network, then follow more.
If you want more money in your wallet, then give more.
If you want more comments on your blog, then comment more.
If you want more friends in your life, then be a friend more.
If you want more likes on Facebook, then like more.
If you want more respect, then respect more.
If you want more love, then love more.
If you want more listeners to your podcast, then listen more.
If you want more subscribers to your newsletter, then subscribe more.
If you want more engagement on or offline, then engage more.

Saturday, March 3, 2012

Jimmy Evans Speaks At C3 Church: How Much Do You Want?


Speaker: Jimmy Evans

How Much Do You Want?
Jimmy didn't grow up in poverty, but he grew up next to it. Each Saturday, he would go buy doughnuts and sell them in his red wagon. Later, he worked at a car wash.

He got married to his wife in 1973 and one Sunday he went to church with his family. At this point, he was making around $600 a month. The Pastor talked about giving and Jimmy said I cannot believe that the Pastor asked for his money. "I'm never coming back!" he says. His wife said that she liked the message and wanted to give $40 to the church.

At this point, he had two options: 1) Give and go bankrupt or 2) Don't give and God strikes him dead [crowd laughs]. Finally, he gave in.

He continues to explain that giving that money scared him tremendously. He says that he had a spirit of poverty.  At this point, his plan was to give ONCE he got a lot of money. The family was in poverty, he stressed.

Over the next two weeks, after he gave tithes, he explained that they had extra money in the bank. This NEVER happens. Jimmy's wife, Karen, asked again if they could give. Pastor Evans said, "Wait, we made it through two weeks, let's not push it." Karen continued to give Sunday after Sunday and the family was blessed.

The original message about tithing changed his life. If he had known the power of tithing earlier, things may have been different.

How many people believe the Bible? he asks. [Hands go up] Pastor Jimmy reads from the Bible:
28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[a] or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. [Mark 10:28-30 (NKJV)]
In the context of money, Jesus says that it's easier for a camel to walk through an eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

As a child, Jimmy says that he gave up friends but later earned many friends throughout the globe. When young, he left his parent's business to work for the church. He was scared, but God reassured him that he wouldn't lose anything. Later on, his Dad and Mother came to the Lord.

Houses, land, relationships, or whatever you give up in this life, you will get 100 fold in the next life.
38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” [Luke 6:38 (NKJV)]
If you want friends, be a friend. If you want encouragement, encourage other people. Do you want a lake or an eyedropper of blessing? God uses the measuring cup you hand to him? How much do you want?

According to your standard of measure, that is the amount of blessings you will receive in return.

Give and it will be given back to you in your standard of measure. What is your standard of measure?

Looking back to 1975, Jimmy felt sorry for himself (Boo hoo!) because he was in poverty, but God wanted to help him.
35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” [Acts 20:35 (NKJV)]
Jesus said, "You're more blessed if you give then when you receive."

Jimmy referenced a book that researched giving. In the study, done over a course of 50 years, they learned that those who give will live longer. Giving reduces depression.

This one doctor was very materialistic. His kids were spoiled. Another family, a doctor, the man's children worked for what they got, work the mission field, and volunteer at church. When you compare both children, the happier kids were the ones that gave.

Receiving doesn't make you live longer. It's when you give. Even the simple act of praying for others in old age reduce depression.

Jimmy talks about an old guy at his church. This man, in his mid-eighties, brings his wife to the front of the church and prays for others each Sunday. This man, who can barely walk, is happy.

If you're a giver, you will live longer.
18 The wicked man does deceptive work,But he who sows righteousness will have a sure reward. [Proverbs 11:18]
24 There is one who scatters, yet increases more;And there is one who withholds more than is right,But it leads to poverty. [Proverbs 11:24]
10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this,”
Says the Lord of hosts,
“If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,”
Says the Lord of hosts; [Malachi 3:10-11]
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: [2 Corinthians 9:5-8]
Even in this economy, the principle of GIVING will change your life. Giving will affect your life, health, and wealth. How much do you want?

Why Does God Bless Giving?
Like any good parent, God awards behavior they are trying to encourage.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. [Hebrews 11:6]
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
10 Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men; [2 Corinthians 9:9-13]
God wants us to be givers. 
For God so loved the world that he GAVE his only begotten son. Jimmy talks about waiters at restaurants where they hate Sundays at lunch because Christians are cheap with their tips. Jimmy gives a minimum of 20%.

Because it keeps us close to God.
Givers don't backslide. Money promises you the same thing God promises. You cannot serve two masters (God or Money).

Giving allows us to bless others through us
God wants to bless the world. God wants to work through generous people. He's looking for people who have compassion for others, have a heart for others. You are either a river or a dam. God gives to rivers, not dams.

Jimmy talks about growing up poor. He thought his wife, Karen, was rich. She wasn't. Karen's father worked in the insurance business and he promised God that he would give 50% of anything he earned. As a result, God gave him millions upon millions of dollars.

When you are a giver, you live guilt free. God is looking for a river. If you are a dam, all you're going to do is lock it up. You'll put security in that money.

Jimmy prayed years ago, "If you'll help us, we'll help others."

His marriage, early on, was horrible. People came to him for marriage counseling. He never understood why, but he took the job. Years later, God has provided him a television show that will reach millions.

Three powerful truths about giving

  1. Giving tells God in absolute terms what we will do with more!
  2. Giving tells God how much more we can handle and be obedient with it.
  3. Giving allows God to prove his power in love like nothing else.
Jimmy talks about a time where he gave EVERYTHING. He sold stocks and the like. He didn't sell the house or car, but everything else. It was scary, but unbelievable. Two years later, he got his dream house for free. Give and it will be given back to you. If you build God's house, he will build your house.

Closing Prayer
Father we come tonight and commit to being givers of love, encourage, money, and health. We want to be a river and not a dam. We'll always use it for your kingdom. I pray over a spirit of poverty and greed. I pray for this church.

If you are ready to commit your life to Jesus. Say that I repent and fully surrender to you. Lord Jesus, I confess you as my Lord. I believe God raised you from the dead. I believe you paid for my sins. I'm forgiven and I'm on my way to Heaven. I repent. I come to you right now and I commit my entire life to you. I pray that you would use me and show my purpose in life. Show me your Holy Spirit, the power to change, and to do the right thing. This moment forward my life is yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Friday, March 2, 2012

Forever Conference At C3 Church: Jimmy Evans


Speaker: Pastor Jimmy Evans

Tips
To get the most out of a marriage conference, listen for yourself and not for your spouse.

Remember that God created a marriage in Eden (paradise).

Four Elements of Paradise

  1. Beauty
  2. Abundance
  3. Sensual Pleasure
  4. Peace
When Jimmy and his wife got married, they didn't have a peaceful marriage. Early on, people came to him for marriage counseling, but what they didn't know is that he and his wife were on the brink of divorce.

God wants you and your wife to have peace. 

Foundations of Peace in a Marriage

1. Prior Agreement 
Every couple that gets married does so to live a happy life together. 

One thing that he learned in his pre-marriage counseling, is that many people never had those deeper conversations. What he did in his 4-5 sessions is facilitate those discussions. In one of the sessions, "Marriage Expectations," he asked questions about how many kids they wanted, a stay at home wife, whose family would you spend the holiday's with, who would do the housework, who will initiate sex, and how the money would be spent.

You would never believe how many people never had those kinds of discussions. Can two people walk together if they don't agree? No!

Three Levels of Communication
  1. Proactive Communication - Talk about things before it happens.
  2. Reactive Communication - Talk about things after it happens.
  3. Radioactive Communication - Because you don't proactively communicate and you are reactive, this leads to a radioactive communication (aka Someone is going to get hurt).
Four Steps To Agreeing Beforehand
One of the first things you need to know about marriage is that we are ALL messed up. Isn't that good news? Everyone is struggling with something, so join the club. 

So how do you get to that peaceful place?

2. Clear Out The Radioactive Issues
Tip: You have to give your spouse the room to complain.

Jimmy talks about a time that he complained about a broken tool. When he went to the store, they told him to simply pick out another one. He loved that store.

Pastor Evans talks about going to another store and returning a shirt that didn't fit. When he returned the shirt, they said they wouldn't take it back because it was worn. Jimmy then asked to speak with the manager. The manager comes and smells the armpit of the shirt and said, "Give him another shirt." Why would anyone go to that store?

Four predictors of Divorce
The University of Washington found that there are four predictors of divorce. They are: 
  1. Criticism
  2. Defensiveness
  3. Contempt
  4. Stonewalling
"You are not a good spouse until your 
mate tells you that you are"

Both spouses are the problem in a relationship.

Giving your spouse the right to complain does not mean the right to criticize. That's damaging. Complaining is about ME, but criticizing is about the other person and what they're not doing right.

"Yesterday you were angry at me and I felt bad because I didn't know what I did." Pastor explains. As a result, his wife didn't feel attacked and explained the back story. 

If you feel like I'm disrespecting you then you have the right to complain. You can say whatever is on your mind and you will not pay a price. If you ignore a problem it sits, it doesn't evaporate.

The most important thing is pleasing Jesus and the second most important thing is my wife. Therefore to clear out the radioactive issues, you have to sit down and talk. You may have to go outside the house to receive help. Not your parents or your buddies, but with a pastor or counselor. 


"Stop Reacting to Issues!"

Have a Vision and Plan Retreat at Least Once a Year
Pastor Evans talks about a guy named David who had a better marriage than him. While playing golf, David told him about a vision retreat. A vision retreat is where the couples go away for a weekend and pray for the issues in their life until God gives them a vision. During this weekend, they would pray for their kids (individually and by name), money, and the like. By the time Noon came around, they would go outside and have fun. As a result of this, they didn't fight for months. They felt like they were in sync with one another. 

Jimmy talks about a resource called Mountaintop of Marriage: A Vision Retreat Guidebook.

The Devil doesn't want you and your spouse to agree.

Have a Regular Time of Communicating Face to Face Without any Distractions
Jimmy talks about a time without cellphones. In a marriage, there is a time and a place for technology; however, couples need time alone without distractions. Jimmy and his wife take an hour and a half to talk on a daily basis.

"We come first!" 

If you feel like you don't have enough time in your day, then prioritize your calendar to include alone time. In his house, they talk before they watch TV. Jimmy knows their conversation is done when his wife turns on the television.

3. Purpose Brings Peace 
Sometimes we get caught up in the smaller issues of life and fail to focus on the bigger picture. We exist as a couple to produce Godly offspring.

There will be a time when you're going to ask why you're still in that relationship. The right answer is because of God.

A 41 year old teacher left his family for an 18 year old student. His family was devastated. The couple said, "We know a lot people will be hurt by this but we are following our heart." Jimmy says he's not following his heart [crowd laughs].

Reason 1: God
Our marriage is about God. It's not about me or my needs being met. Look at what God has done in our marriage. "If you'll help us, we'll help others." Jimmy prayed. He never knew God would take him up on that offer [crowd laughs].

Reason 2: Local Church
Another reason for your marriage is to provide your gifts to the local church. Jimmy believes the local church is the hope of the world. If he got out of fellowship with the church, he would have fallen. Your friends are whom you will be like. Therefore, friends in the church, while not perfect, will help you. Church will keep you centered. The further he gets from church, the more unsaved he feels.

Reason 3: To Help Others
Another reason for your marriage is the grace. Nobody can help a person like a person who has been helped. God wants to help you so that you can help others.

4. Secret to Peace and Marriage is Partnership
Marriage is about the law of possession. Couples share everything.

Jimmy talks about a rich man who got married. His wife said that the only place that's comfortable in that house is the kitchen. He talked to the husband and said that marriage is about sharing. Everything we do, we do together. When he wanted to get a pilot's license, he asked his wife first. She said, "Yes."

He doesn't talk about who is the boss in the family because Jesus is the boss. Together they share children, grandchildren, and even money.

How Dominant People Dominate Others
  • Dominance
  • Intimidation
  • Manipulation
Jimmy asked the audience by a show of hands, how many of you were raised in a household where one parent was more dominant than  the other? [70% raised their hands]

How many of you think that dominant relationship negatively affected the marriage? [Majority of hands raise again]

Two dominant people cannot marry because there would be a homicide. Two passive people cannot marry because they would starve. 

People tend to marry to the degree that they're dominant/passive.

In his marriage, neither of the two dominate the other. They do everything together. When a passive person begins to demand respect, it rocks the other person's world. Stand up for yourself. If you're the dominant person, sit down.

As Karen (his wife) began to speak her mind, he wore her out. God took her side and his blinders fell off his eyes. He realized how poorly he treated her.

You read other books, the Bible reads YOU!

Grace without truth is meaningless, truth without grace is mean.

Prior Hurts/ Inner Vows
When we're hurting, we comfort ourselves. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. As kids, when we're hurt, we tend to make inner vows. "I'll never let a woman treat me like that again!" That's a destructive way to think.

Your father may be weak and you've become a monster (or vice versa). We go to the extremes in trying to protect ourselves. 

Jimmy tells a couple of stories about guys that go to the extreme in their marriages because of something their parents did (dominating mothers) or didn't allow (soda in the house).

An inner vow is evil and it makes it hard to change (or listen). We've all done it. Marriage is a partnership. You cannot dominate the other. If you have pain, give it over to God. Ask God for help.

Partnership
We're going to do everything together.

Prayer
Your worry list is your prayer list. With prayer and more prayer, give it to God. Guard your heart and your mind. When you pray, the promises will guard your heart. 

Stress robs you of your inner energy. When you have stress and anxiety, you will fight more. If two of you on Earth will agree together (and pray), it will be done for you.

You can have peace in your marriage. By God's grace, he and his family have seen God move in a powerful way. If he can do it, so can you. 

Closing Prayer
Lord we agree to agree. We've been reacting to issues. Give us the grace to be proactive and never again react the way we have. We commit. Show us the reasons you've put us together. We pray that we become partners. We're going to share every decision. We're not going to dominate or bully each other. We 're going to pray about every issue in our family. We're going to trust you. There are so many things we cannot do, but we trust you. Amen.

Damond L. Nollan, M.B.A.

Toll-free: (919) 912-9121
E-mail: Contact Me

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